JP5338697B2 - Image transfer system and image transfer method in image transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow each of a plurality of image projectors to project a required content among a plurality of contents on a display screen. <P>SOLUTION: An image transfer apparatus generates displaying image data of a plurality of windows W1-W4 displayed on a display screen and stores the generated image data respectively in storage areas A1-A3, which are secured for the windows individually, in a RAM. The image transfer apparatus associates the respective storage areas A1-A3 with a plurality of projectors PJ1-PJ3 in accordance with an instruction input by a user. The image transfer apparatus transfers the displaying image data of the windows W1-W4, which are stored in the respective storage areas A1-A3, to the correlated projectors PJ1-PJ3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an image transfer system and an image transfer method in the image transfer system .

  The image projection apparatus is used by being connected to an image transfer apparatus, for example, a personal computer, for example, in order to project presentation content onto a projection surface. A conventional image transfer apparatus generates display image data by using a display screen of a display device as a unit, and displays an image on the display device using the generated display image data. Therefore, when displaying an image displayed on the display device using the image projection device, the display image data is transferred to the image projection device, so that some content on the display screen, for example, an announcement It was not possible to meet the demand for displaying only the content for the presentation of the person himself.

  On the other hand, a technique for outputting window data of a window selected by a mouse pointer from a plurality of windows displayed on a display device to an external monitor is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-339130 A

  However, when a plurality of image projection devices are connected to the image transfer device, it is impossible to transfer a plurality of contents displayed on the display device to desired image projection devices. In addition, for content in which a part of the content is displayed on the display device, the entire content cannot be projected via the image projection device.

  This problem is not limited to an image transfer apparatus to which a plurality of image projection apparatuses are connected, but is a problem common to image transfer apparatuses to which a plurality of external display apparatuses are connected.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to cause a plurality of image projection apparatuses to project desired contents for a plurality of contents on a display screen.

  In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, the present invention adopts the following various aspects.

  A first aspect of the present invention provides an image transfer device to which a plurality of image projection devices can be connected. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display capable of displaying a plurality of contents, a display image data generating section for generating display image data of each content at least partially displayed on the display, Corresponding to a storage device, each connected image projection device, a storage control unit that stores the generated display image data in association with each other, and each image projection device And a transfer unit for transferring the display image data attached thereto.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, each connected image projection device and each generated display image data are stored in the storage device in association with each other, and each image projection device is associated with each other. Since each display image data is transferred, desired contents can be projected on a plurality of image projection apparatuses for a plurality of contents on the display screen.

  The first aspect of the present invention further specifies a selection unit for selecting one content from among a plurality of contents displayed on the display device, and an image projection apparatus for projecting the selected content. The storage control unit may store the selected display image data and the specified image projection device in the storage device in association with each other. In this case, the selected content can be associated with the designated image projection apparatus.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the storage control unit secures a storage area in the storage device for storing the display image data according to the number of contents displayed on the display. May be. In this case, by associating the storage area for storing the content displayed on the display device with the image projection apparatus, it is possible to project desired contents on each of the plurality of image projection apparatuses. The storage control unit may secure a storage area in the storage device for storing the display image data according to the number of the connected image projection devices. In this case, by transferring the display image data from the storage device associated with the image projection apparatus to the image projection apparatus, it is possible to project desired contents on each of the plurality of image projection apparatuses.

  The first aspect of the present invention may further include an image processing unit that performs image processing on the display image data in a storage area for storing the display image data corresponding to the number of contents. In this case, desired image processing can be executed for each content. Or you may provide the image processing part which performs the image process with respect to the said image data for a display in the memory area for storing the said image data for a display according to the number of the said image projection apparatuses. In this case, desired image processing can be executed for each image projection apparatus.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the storage control unit may reserve the storage area in the storage device corresponding to the resolution of the display. In this case, display image data can be stored while maintaining the resolution on the display. Alternatively, the storage control unit may reserve the storage area in the storage device corresponding to the resolution of the image projection device. In this case, display image data according to the resolution of the image projection apparatus can be stored.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the storage area is secured corresponding to the arrangement of the connected image projection apparatuses, and the storage control unit has a capacity of the display image data of the storage area. When the capacity is exceeded, the display image data may be stored in a plurality of storage areas corresponding to the adjacent image projection apparatuses. In this case, it becomes possible to store the display image data of one window partially displayed on the display device across a plurality of storage areas, and project the window by a plurality of image projection devices. be able to.

  The first aspect of the present invention further includes a management unit that manages information related to connected image projection devices, and the storage control unit receives information related to the number of connected image projection devices from the management unit. You may get it. In this case, information regarding the number of image projection apparatuses can be easily obtained.

  A second aspect of the present invention provides an image transfer method. According to a second aspect of the present invention, display image data of each content at least a part of which is displayed on a display is generated, each connected image projection apparatus, and each of the generated display image data Are stored in the storage device in association with each other, and the associated display image data is transferred to the respective image projection devices.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, advantages similar to those of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained. The second aspect of the present invention can be implemented in various aspects in the same manner as the first aspect of the present invention. Furthermore, the second aspect of the present invention can also be realized as a computer program recorded on a computer-readable medium such as a computer program, CD, DVD, or HDD.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the image transfer system containing the image transfer apparatus which concerns on a 1st Example. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows typically the internal structure of the image projection apparatus used in a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process routine performed in the image transfer process performed by the image transfer apparatus which concerns on a 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen on the display display on which a some window is displayed. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a memory area of a RAM that stores display image data for each window shown in FIG. 5. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the table which stores a corresponding relationship between a projector and a window. FIG. 6 is another explanatory diagram schematically showing a memory area of a RAM that stores display image data for each window shown in FIG. 5. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the table which stores a corresponding relationship between a projector and a window. It is a flowchart which shows the process routine performed in the image transfer process performed by the image transfer apparatus which concerns on a 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the correspondence of the memory area which stores the image data for a display, and the memory area for projector transfer. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the table which matches the memory area which stores the image data for a display, the memory area for projector transfer, and a window. It is a flowchart which shows the process routine performed in the image transfer process performed by the image transfer apparatus which concerns on a 3rd Example.

  Hereinafter, an image transfer apparatus and an image transfer method according to the present invention will be described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings.

First embodiment:
Configuration of Image Transfer System FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image transfer system including an image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the image projection apparatus used in the first embodiment.

  The image transfer system 10 includes an image transfer device 20 and an image projection device 30. A plurality of image projection devices 30 are connected to the image transfer device 20. The image transfer device 20 and the image projection device 30 are connected via, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) cable CV and a wireless local area network (LAN).

・ Configuration of image transfer device:
The image transfer apparatus 20 is a personal computer, for example, and is connected to an input device 41 such as a display 40, a keyboard, and a mouse. As shown in FIG. 2, the image transfer apparatus 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 200, a random access memory (RAM) 210, a hard disk drive (HDD) 220, a drawing memory (VRAM) 230, and an input / output interface 240. ing. The CPU 200, RAM 210, HDD 220, VRAM 230, and input / output interface 240 are connected via a common bus 250 so that bidirectional communication is possible.

  The CPU 200 is a logic circuit that executes various arithmetic processes. For example, the CPU 200 loads and executes various programs and modules stored in the HDD 220 in the RAM 210. A RAM 210 is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores calculation results of the CPU 200 and display image data to be transferred to the image projection apparatus 30. The VRAM 230 is a memory for expanding and temporarily buffering display image data drawn based on the data, and generally allows reading and writing of data at a higher speed than the RAM 210.

  The HDD 220 is a magnetic disk storage device that stores the image transfer program P1. Note that a nonvolatile semiconductor memory may be provided instead of the HDD 220. The image transfer program P1 stored in the HDD 220 includes a window selection module M1, a projector designation module M2, a storage control module M3, a display image data generation module M4, an image processing module M5, a communication control module M6, and a projector information acquisition module M7. And a connected projector management module M8. Each module implements various functions by being executed by the CPU 200.

  The image transfer program P1 is a program for transferring an image displayed on the display 40 connected to the image transfer apparatus 20 to an external image output device. More specifically, the image transfer program P1 in the present embodiment can transfer a plurality of contents displayed on the display 40 to each image output device in units of contents. Here, the content is a display screen provided in application units, each document creation screen in word processor software, each presentation screen in presentation software, a playback screen for playing streamed video content, and still image editing Includes screens and display screens. In addition, the so-called desktop screen displayed as the background of the display 40 is also included in the content. Note that these contents are also referred to as windows when Windows (registered trademark) is used as an operating system.

  The window selection module M1 is a module executed to select a desired window from among a plurality of windows displayed on the display display 40. Specifically, the window selected from the plurality of windows by the operator via the input device 41 is specified. For example, by assigning a unique number to a window (open window) displayed on the display 40, each window can be identified and the selected window can be specified.

  The projector designation module M2 is a module for designating the projector (image projection apparatus) 30 that outputs the window selected by the window selection module M1.

  The storage control module M3 is a module for associating the selected window with the designated projector 30 and storing them in the RAM 210. The storage control module M3 also stores the RAM 210 in advance according to the number of windows at least partially displayed on the display 40, the number of projectors 30 connected to the image transfer apparatus 20, and the maximum resolution of the display 40. A storage area for storing window display image data is secured above. Note that at least one of a storage area corresponding to the number of windows and a storage area corresponding to the number of projectors 30 may be secured in the RAM 210 or the HDD 220.

  The display image data generation module M4 is a module for generating display image data for each window displayed on the display 40. The display image data generation module M4 is a window that exists on the display display 40, in other words, a window that is hidden behind another window, or a window that is not partially displayed outside the display screen of the display display 40. For the above, display image data can be generated for all of the windows. In this process, for example, not only in the window being operated (active window) but also in other windows, display image data is once drawn on the VRAM 230 at the time of selection, and the drawn display image data is stored in the RAM 210. This is realized by storing in a predetermined position. In this case, whenever a window other than the active window is selected, the display of the other window can be updated by executing the drawing process for the other window. Alternatively, when the capacity of the VRAM 230 is large, display image data for a plurality of windows may be stored on the VRAM 230.

  The image processing module M5 is a module for executing various image processes on the display image data transferred to the projector 30. Image processing executed by the image processing module M5 includes, for example, image processing such as resolution conversion processing, sharpness, luminance adjustment, and color balance.

  The communication control module M6 is a module that controls the input / output interface 240 in order to transfer display image data to the projector 30 or to receive projector information from the projector 30.

  The projector information acquisition module M7 is a module for acquiring projector information I33 (see FIG. 3) from the projector 30. The projector information I33 includes, for example, the maximum resolution supported by the projector, the projector color profile (for example, ICC profile), identification information for specifying the projector, and other information related to the image reproduction characteristics of the projector.

  The connected projector management module M8 is a module for managing the number of projectors 30 connected to the image transfer device 20, that is, the attachment / detachment of the projector 30 with respect to the image transfer device 20.

  The input / output interface 240 exchanges signals between the image transfer apparatus 20 and an external device such as the image projection apparatus 40 by wire or wirelessly. In the case of wired, for example, a USB cable connection terminal is provided, and in the case of wireless, for example, a transmission / reception unit including an antenna and a switch for switching transmission / reception is provided. By providing the transmission / reception unit, an antenna access point (AP) function or a station (STA) function for transmitting and receiving transmission / reception signals is realized. The input / output interface 240 also receives an input signal from the input device 41 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and outputs display image data to the display 40.

・ Configuration of image projector:
As described above, the image projection device 30 is, for example, a projector. As shown in FIG. 2, the projector 30 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 300, a random access memory (RAM) 310, a non-volatile memory (ROM) 320, a drawing memory (VRAM) 330, an image display unit 340, an optical system. 350 and an input / output interface 360. The CPU 300, RAM 310, ROM 320, VRAM 330, image display unit 340, and input / output interface 360 are connected via a common bus 370 so that bidirectional communication is possible.

  The CPU 300 is a logic circuit that executes various arithmetic processes. For example, various programs and modules stored in the ROM 320 are developed on the RAM 310 and executed. The RAM 310 is a volatile memory and temporarily stores the calculation result of the CPU 300. The VRAM 330 is a memory for temporarily buffering drawing data drawn based on display image data.

  The ROM 320 is a semiconductor memory that stores a projector information transmission module M31, a drawing module M32, and projector information I33. Instead of the ROM 320, a magnetic disk storage device may be used.

  The projector information transmission module M31 is a module for transmitting stored projector information to the image transfer apparatus 20. For example, when a wired or wireless connection is established between the projector 30 and the image transfer device 20, the stored projector information I 33 is acquired, and the projector is connected to the image transfer device 20 via the input / output interface 360. The information I33 is transferred.

  The drawing module M32 analyzes the display image data received from the image transfer apparatus 20 via the input / output interface 360 and draws it on the VRAM 330. Specifically, the drawing module M32 analyzes the received display image data, acquires information such as the number of colors, size (vertical and horizontal), coordinates, and image format, and uses the acquired information on the VRAM 330. For example, pixel values are arranged by a bitmap method.

  The image display unit 340 is used to generate an image for projection using the drawing data stored in the VRAM 330. As the image display unit 340, for example, an image display unit that modulates light from an RGB light source using a liquid crystal panel or an image display unit that modulates light using a digital micromirror device (DMD) can be used.

  The optical system 350 includes a plurality of lenses, and is used to project an image generated by the image display unit 340 onto a projection surface with a desired size.

・ Image transfer processing:
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing routine executed in the image transfer process executed by the image transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen on a display on which a plurality of windows are displayed. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a memory area of a RAM for storing display image data for each window shown in FIG.

  This processing routine is started, for example, by starting an image transfer application. The CPU 200 executes the projector information acquisition module M7, and acquires projector information I33 from each projector 30 connected to the image transfer device 20 (step S100). Specifically, CPU 200 transfers a projector information transmission request to each wired and wireless port, and transmits a projector information transmission request to each connected projector 30. In each projector 30 that has received the projector information transmission request, the CPU 300 executes the projector information transmission module M31, acquires the projector information I33 from the ROM 320, and returns it to the image transfer apparatus 20. The CPU 200 that has received the projector information uses the projector information acquired from each projector 30 to associate the maximum supported resolution, color profile, identification information, and other image reproduction characteristics of each projector 30 with each projector 30 in the HDD 220. Store.

  The CPU 200 executes the storage control module M3 to secure a storage area corresponding to the number of windows on the RAM 210 (step S110). For example, in Windows (registered trademark), each window is managed by a number called a handle, and is displayed (opened) on the display 40 by the CPU 200 executing the API function “EnumWindows”. You can get the handles of all windows. Therefore, the CPU 200 secures a plurality of storage areas necessary for storing all windows in the RAM 210 according to the acquired number of handles. In addition, the capacity | capacitance according to the resolution of the desktop screen (primary display) of the display 40 is ensured as the capacity | capacitance of each storage area.

  The CPU 200 executes the display image data generation module M4 to generate (capture) display image data for all windows displayed on the display 40 (step S120). In the example of FIG. 5, three windows W <b> 2 to W <b> 4 are displayed on the display 40 in addition to the desktop window W <b> 1. These three windows W2 to W4 can be said to be contents provided by an application. Note that a part of the window W4 that is indicated by a broken line protrudes from the display 40 and the protruding part is not displayed on the display 40, but the display image data of the entire window W4 including the protruding part is displayed. Is generated. The protruding portion includes both the case where the position of the window is offset and the case where the entire window does not fit on the display 40. In the former case, the generated display image data can be stored in one storage area. In the latter case, the generated display image data is stored across a plurality of storage areas. .

  For example, when the operating system is Windows (registered trademark), display image data corresponding to all windows displayed on the display 40 is generated by forming a layered window. The CPU 200 uses the handle of each window acquired in advance, and the layered setting API “WS_EX_LAYERED” is used for the current window style acquired by “GetWindowLong” and “GetWindowLong” which are API functions for acquiring the setting value of the current window. Each of the windows is formed into a layered window by sequentially executing an API function “SetWindowLong” for registering “OR” and an API function “SetLayeredWindowAttributes” for setting the layered parameter of the designated window. In each layered window, the entire window is captured, that is, display image data corresponding to the entire window is generated.

  The display image data generation module M4 generates display image data by developing (drawing) display image data on the VRAM 230 based on application data corresponding to each window. Each of the generated display image data is sequentially transferred and stored in a storage area previously secured on the RAM 210. In FIG. 6, the display image data of the window W2 is in the first storage area A1, the display image data of the window W3 is in the second storage area A2, and the display image data of the window W1 is in the third storage area A3. Is stored in each. Each of the storage areas A1 to A3 is managed by coordinates (X, Y), and the storage position of the display image data stored in each storage area, that is, the projection position with respect to the projection frame when projected is a coordinate. Can be specified by. Also, each pixel data constituting the display image data can be specified using coordinates.

The CPU 200 executes the projector designation module M2 and waits for the designation of the projector 30 by the user (step S130: No). The designation of the projector 30 is, for example,
By listing all windows present on the display 40 and associating each window with a projector via the input device 41, or
This can be realized by displaying a button for selecting a projector on the title bar of the window and designating a desired projector from a projector selection menu displayed by pressing the button.

  When the projector 30 to be associated with one window is designated (step S130: Yes), the CPU 200 executes the storage control module M3 to associate the designated projector 30 with the selected window (step S140). The association between the projector 30 and the window is executed using, for example, an association table shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table that stores the correspondence between projectors and windows. CPU 200 repeatedly executes steps S130 to S150 until the user finishes associating projector 30 with the window (step S150: No).

  In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first storage area A1 is associated with the first projector PJ1, the second storage area A2 is associated with the second projector PJ2, A third projector PJ3 is associated with the third storage area A3. Therefore, the window W2 and the first projector PJ1, the window W3 and the second projector PJ2, and the window W1 and the third projector PJ3 are associated with each other. The association between each projector PJ1 to PJ3 and each storage area is, for example, the port number to which each projector PJ1 to PJ3 is connected or the MAC address of each projector PJ1 to PJ3 (communication control module) and each storage area. This can be realized by associating coordinate information to be defined.

  In the present embodiment, the storage control module M3 manages the position of the window (display image data) on the display screen based on the upper left coordinate in each storage area.

  Another example of association between the window and the projector 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is another explanatory diagram schematically showing a memory area of the RAM for storing the display image data of each window shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table that stores correspondence between projectors and windows.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, since the maximum size of the window W4 exceeds the size of the primary screen (desktop screen), the entire window W4 does not fit on the display display 40, and a part thereof protrudes from the display screen of the display display 40. It is invisible. Here, in general, the window provided by the application cannot take the maximum size defined by the operating system (OS), usually the size exceeding the size of the primary screen. However, as is well known to those skilled in the art, by rewriting the contents of the MINMAXINFO structure, the size of the window can be changed to a size exceeding the maximum window size defined by the OS. The example shown in FIG. 5 shows a window that exceeds the maximum size of the primary screen by this technique. If the entire window is not displayed on the primary screen due to the displacement of the window position, the size of the window is within the size (resolution) of the primary screen, and the display image data is stored in one memory. It is stored in the area and can be projected by one projector 30.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, display image data representing the entire window is generated for a window at least part of which is displayed on the display 40. However, since the display image data of the window W4 cannot be stored in only one storage area having a capacity corresponding to the resolution of the primary screen, it extends over the first and second storage areas A1 and A2, as shown in FIG. Stored. 8 and 9, the first storage area A1 is for the first projector PJ1, the second storage area A2 is for the second projector PJ2, and the third storage area A3 is for the third projector PJ3. The fourth storage area A4 is associated with the fourth projector PJ4. Therefore, a part of the window W4 stored in the first storage area A1 is in the first projector PJ1, and a part of the window W4 stored in the second storage area A2 is in the second projector PJ2. The window W2 stored in the third storage area A3 is associated with the third projector PJ3.

  In this embodiment, each storage area is secured so that the vertical or horizontal sides are in full contact with the adjacent storage area, that is, continuous, and a display corresponding to one window is provided by a plurality of adjacent storage areas. One virtual storage area for storing the image data can be formed. Further, since the arrangement of the storage areas is ensured corresponding to the arrangement of the projectors PJ1 to PJ4, it is possible to project an image based on the developed image of the display image data on each storage area. That is, the display image data of the window W4 stored in the first storage area A1 is projected by the first projector PJ1, and the display image data of the window W4 stored in the second storage area A2 is the first. 2 is projected by the second projector PJ2. Therefore, an image of the entire window W4 that cannot be projected by one projector 30 can be projected on the projection surface as one image by the two projectors PJ1 and PJ2. Since each storage area is managed by coordinate information, even if the storage area for storing a part of the window W4 and the storage area for storing the remaining part of the window W4 are not adjacent to each other, the storage areas are adjacent to each other. By transferring the display image data corresponding to a part of the window W4 and the display image data corresponding to the remaining part of the window W4 to the projectors 30 arranged in this manner, the image of the entire window W4 is transferred. Can project.

  When the user finishes associating the projector 30 with the window (step S150: Yes), the CPU 200 executes the image processing module M5, and displays image data for display stored in each storage area as necessary. Then, image processing is executed (step S160). For example, image quality adjustment processing such as resolution conversion processing, sharpness, luminance adjustment, and color balance is performed using projector information.

  The CPU 200 executes the communication control module M6, transfers display image data subjected to image processing to the associated projectors 30 (PJ1 to PJ4) (step S170), and executes this processing routine. finish. Note that after the association between the window and the projector 30 is completed, generation of window display image data on the display 40 and transmission of the display image data to each projector 30 (PJ1 to PJ4) are performed at a predetermined timing. Will be executed repeatedly. Alternatively, when the content is content that does not involve time transition, generation of image data for display of the corresponding window and display image for each projector 30 (PJ1 to PJ4) at the timing when the window becomes active. Data transmission may be performed. Thus, an image corresponding to the latest window can always be projected even after the window and the projector 30 are associated with each other.

  As described above, according to the image transfer apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment, the display image data of the plurality of windows displayed on the display display 40 is stored in association with the projector 30, so that the display The display screens of the plurality of windows displayed on the display 40 can be transferred to the plurality of projectors 30, respectively. Accordingly, a plurality of windows can be separately projected via the plurality of projectors 30 by one image transfer device 20. As a result, the user can project a desired window by a desired projector, and the degree of freedom of image projection using the projector can be improved.

  The image transfer apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment also generates display image data for the entire window even for a window that is partially displayed on the display display 40. Therefore, by transferring the display image data of a part of the window displayed on the display display 40 and the remaining part of the window not displayed to a plurality of projectors arranged adjacent to each other, the window The entire image can be projected. In other words, it is possible to project an image of the entire window including a display image of a window partially protruding from the display 40, which could not be projected conventionally.

  Furthermore, according to the image transfer device 20 according to the present embodiment, since only the window desired by the user can be selected and projected from the projector 30, for example, in the presentation, the user can display on the display display 40. Of the displayed windows, only the window to be projected can be presented to the audience. Therefore, other work can be performed in parallel on the display 40, and the efficiency and appearance of the presentation can be improved.

  Further, according to the image transfer apparatus 20 of the first embodiment, a plurality of windows are transferred to the plurality of projectors 30 without installing special driver software for the projector 30 in a personal computer or the like, and the projector 30 is Can be projected through.

Second embodiment:
The second embodiment differs in that a projector transfer storage area for transferring to each projector 30 is secured on the RAM 210 in addition to the storage area for storing the generated display image data. Since the configuration of the image data transfer apparatus 20 is not changed, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are used, and the description of each configuration is omitted. Further, in the image transfer process in the second embodiment, the same processing steps as those in the first embodiment are assigned the same step numbers as those in the first embodiment, and the details are the same as those in the first embodiment. Description is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing routine executed in the image transfer process executed by the image transfer apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the storage areas A1 to A3 for storing display image data and the projector transfer storage areas SPJ1 to SPJ3. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table that associates storage areas A1 to A3 for storing display image data, projector transfer storage areas SPJ1 to SPJ3, and windows W1 to W3.

  This processing routine is started, for example, by starting an image transfer application. The CPU 200 executes the projector information acquisition module M7, and acquires projector information I33 from each projector 30 connected to the image transfer device 20 (step S100). The connected projector management module M8 is executed to specify the number of projectors 30 connected to the input / output interface 240, and the storage control module M3 is executed to transfer the projector according to the number of connected projectors 30. A storage area is reserved on the RAM 210 or the HDD 220 (step S105). For example, the CPU 200 detects the number of wired and wireless ports to which the projector 30 is connected based on the voltage change of the detection power supply terminal at the USB terminal and the detection of connection establishment in wireless communication. Is executed. The projector transfer storage areas SPJ1 to SPJ3 do not necessarily have to be continuous, unlike the storage areas A1 to A3 for storing display image data. In the projector transfer storage areas SPJ1 to SPJ3, a capacity corresponding to the resolution of the primary display of the display 40 is secured.

  The CPU 200 executes steps S110 to S130 as described above. When the designation of the projector 30 is executed (step S130: Yes), the CPU 200 executes the association between the selected window and the designated projector (step S145). Specifically, CPU 200 executes storage control module M3 to associate a storage area for storing display image data corresponding to the selected window with a projector transfer storage area corresponding to the designated projector. . The selected window and the designated projector are associated with each other until the user inputs an end of association via the input device 41, until all the windows are associated with the projector, or with all the projectors. (Step S150: No).

  In the example of FIGS. 11 and 12, the display image data for the window W2 is stored in the first storage area A1 for storing the display image data, and the display image data for the window W3 is stored in the second storage area A2. The third storage area A3 stores display image data for the window W1. Further, the first projector PJ1 and the window W1, the second projector PJ2 and the window W2, and the third projector PJ3 and the window W3 are associated with each other.

  The CPU 200 executes the storage control module M3, and the display image data for the window W1 stored in the third storage area A3 is stored in the projector transfer storage area SPJ1, which is a transfer storage area for the first projector PJ1. Copy or move. Similarly, the display image data of the window W2 stored in the first storage area A1 is stored in the projector transfer storage area SPJ2, and the display image data of the window W3 stored in the second storage area A2 is displayed in the projector. Copy or move to the transfer storage area SPJ3.

  When the association between the selected window and the designated projector is completed (step S150: Yes), the CPU 200 executes the image processing module M5 and executes image processing on the display image data (step S160). In this embodiment, the image processing for the display image data is executed on each of the projector transfer storage areas PJS1 to PJS3. In the image processing executed in the second embodiment, in addition to the image processing described in the first embodiment, for example, display image data combining processing is executed. With this composition processing, when it is requested to project a plurality of windows onto one projector, display image data according to the image displayed on the display 40 can be transferred to the projector 30. .

  The CPU 200 transfers the display image data stored in the projector transfer storage areas SPJ1 to SPJ3 to which the image processing has been performed, to the corresponding projectors PJ1 to PJ3, and ends this processing routine.

  According to the image transfer device 20 according to the second embodiment, in addition to the advantages provided by the image transfer device 20 according to the first embodiment, the captured display image data is held and transferred to the projector 30. Image processing can be executed on the display image data to be displayed. That is, the image transfer apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment includes two storage areas, that is, a storage area for storing display image data and a projector transfer storage area. By executing the image processing, the display image data subjected to the image processing can be transferred to the projector 30 without changing the original display image data.

  Moreover, according to the image transfer apparatus 20 which concerns on a 2nd Example, the state of the primary display on the display display 40 can be projected easily. That is, in the second embodiment, the display image data for each window is generated separately, so that the display image data including all windows is obtained by the synthesis process. Here, in the second embodiment, by utilizing the projector transfer storage area, display image data corresponding to each window stored in the storage area for storing display image data can be easily combined. can do.

Third embodiment:
In the third embodiment, a storage area for storing display image data according to the number of windows is reserved in the RAM 210 in that the storage area for storing display image data according to the number of connected projectors is secured in the RAM 210. This is different from the first embodiment to be secured.

  Since the configuration of the image data transfer apparatus 20 is not changed, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are used, and the description of each configuration is omitted. In the image transfer process in the third embodiment, detailed description of the same processing steps as those in the image transfer process in the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing routine executed in the image transfer process executed by the image transfer apparatus according to the third embodiment. This processing routine is started, for example, by starting an image transfer application. The CPU 200 executes the projector information acquisition module M7, and acquires projector information I33 from each projector 30 connected to the image transfer device 20 (step S200).

  The connected projector management module M8 is executed to identify the number of projectors 30 connected to the input / output interface 240, and the storage control module M3 is executed to perform display according to the number of connected projectors 30. A storage area for image data is secured on the RAM 210 or the HDD 220 (step S210). For example, the CPU 200 detects the number of wired and wireless ports to which the projector 30 is connected based on the voltage change of the detection power supply terminal at the USB terminal and the detection of connection establishment in wireless communication. Is executed.

The CPU 200 waits until one of the plurality of windows displayed on the display 40 is selected via the input device 41 (step S220: No). The selection of the window is executed, for example, when a desired window (content) is selected (for example, left-clicked) with the mouse, or when the mouse cursor is moved on the desired window.

  When a window is selected by the user via the input device 41 (step S220: Yes), the CPU 200 generates display image data corresponding to the selected selection window (step S230). That is, the CPU 200 executes the display image data generation module M4 to generate (capture) display image data of the selected window image. This processing is executed, for example, by holding the display image data to be displayed on the display 40 on the VRAM 230 and drawing the display image data of the selected window on the remaining memory area of the VRAM 230. The

  The CPU 200 waits for designation of the projector 30 that projects the selected window (step S240: No), and when the projector 30 is designated (step S240: Yes), the designated projector 30 and the selected window The association is executed (step S250). The designation of the projector 30 may be designated from, for example, a projector list displayed when the mouse is right-clicked on the selected window, and a projector designation list is displayed in the title bar of each window. It is also possible to prepare a button for doing this and specify from a projector list displayed by pressing this button.

  The association between the designated projector 30 and the selected window is executed by the CPU 200 executing the storage control module M3. Specifically, the display image data of the selected window drawn on the VRAM 230 by the display image data generation module M4 is transferred to the storage area on the RAM 210 secured corresponding to the designated projector 30. Is executed by. By this association processing, the display image data corresponding to the selected window on the VRAM 230 is deleted.

  CPU 200 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S220 to S25 until the association between the designated projector 30 and the selected window is completed (step S260: No). Therefore, generation of display image data for the selected window and transfer to the storage area on the RAM 210 are repeatedly executed.

  When the association between the designated projector 30 and the selected window ends (step S260: Yes), the CPU 200 executes the image processing module M5 as described above (step S270). Image processing on the display image data by the image processing module M5 is executed in each storage area on the RAM 210.

  The CPU 200 executes the communication control module M6, transfers the display image data stored in each storage area on the RAM 210 to each corresponding projector 30 (step S280), and ends this processing routine.

  According to the image transfer apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment described above, in addition to the advantages obtained by the image transfer apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment, the capacity of the storage area for storing the display image data is increased. The advantage that it can be reduced can be obtained. That is, in this embodiment, the display image data is sequentially generated for the selected windows, so that it is not necessary to generate display image data corresponding to the windows that are not selected. In this embodiment, only the display image data for the window to be transferred to the projector 30 is generated, and the storage area is released after the transfer, so that the capacity of the storage area can be reduced. Note that if the same window needs to be captured, generation of window display image data may be executed again.

Other examples:
(1) In each of the above embodiments, the generated display image data may be repeatedly updated at a predetermined timing. Consistency between the image projected through the projector 30 by the update and the window on the display 40 can be achieved. Further, display image data may be generated (captured) at the timing when the window becomes active. In this case, unnecessary update of the display image data can be suppressed. In addition, the update timing may be a window, that is, if the content is related to a moving image, it may be shorter than the case of other content, and only the difference data is used to reduce the amount of transferred data. May be transferred.

(2) In the above embodiments, when the size of the window on the display 40 is changed, the display image data whose size is changed at the next capture timing is generated and transferred to the projector 30. . On the other hand, when only the position of the window on the display 40 is changed, the coordinate position of the display image data in the storage area may not be changed from the initial coordinate position (pasting position). As a result, even if another window is moved to perform some processing on one window on the display 40 on which a plurality of windows are displayed, the projector 30 can detect other windows. The projection position is not changed, and unnecessary fluctuation of the projected window can be prevented or suppressed.

(3) In the second and third embodiments, when transferring the same window to a plurality of projectors 30, one projector transfer storage area may be associated with a plurality of projectors 30. In this case, resources required for the projector transfer storage area can be reduced.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, when the capacity of the display image data storage area or projector transfer storage area for the window or projector 30 is insufficient, the storage area capacity corresponding to a resolution lower than the resolution of the primary display May be secured, or a storage area capacity corresponding to the resolution of the primary display may be secured until the capacity becomes insufficient. In the former case, display image data after resolution conversion may be stored, and in the latter case, display image data stored in each storage area may be sequentially switched. Further, when the projector 30 is not adapted to the resolution of the primary display (when not supported), the capacity of the storage area is secured according to the resolution of the projector 30 while maintaining the aspect ratio of the primary display. Also good. In this case, since the image transfer device 20 converts the resolution of the display image data into the resolution supported by the projector 30 and stores it in each storage area, the storage area can be used efficiently. The display image data having a supported resolution can be transferred to the projector 30. Information regarding the resolution of the projector 30 is stored in the projector 30 as projector information I33, and the image transfer apparatus 20 can obtain information regarding the resolution supported by the projector 30 by acquiring the projector information I33.

(5) In each of the above-described embodiments, the projector has been described as an example of the image projection device 30. However, for example, a projection display monitor may be used. Furthermore, a normal display may be used in place of the image projection apparatus. Also in this case, a different window can be displayed for each display.

(6) In the above embodiments, the image transfer processing is realized by software, but may be realized by hardware. In this case, for example, it can be realized as a board provided with a logic circuit for executing image transfer processing, or a board provided with a logic circuit and a storage device.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the Example and the modification, Embodiment mentioned above is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and does not limit this invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image transfer system 20 ... Image transfer apparatus 200 ... CPU
210 ... RAM
220 ... HDD
230 ... VRAM
240 ... Input / output interface 250 ... Bus 30 ... Image projection device 300 ... CPU
310 ... RAM
320 ... ROM
330 ... VRAM
340 ... Image display unit 350 ... Optical system 360 ... Input / output interface 370 ... Bus 40 ... Display display 41 ... Input device P1 ... Image transfer program M1 ... Window selection module M2 ... Projector designation module M3 ... Storage control module M4 ... Display image Data generation module M5 ... Image processing module M6 ... Communication control module M7 ... Projector information acquisition module M8 ... Connected projector management module M31 ... Projector information transmission module M32 ... Drawing module I33 ... Projector information CV ... Cable

Claims (8)

A plurality of image display devices;
An image transfer system comprising an image transfer device to which the plurality of image display devices can be connected,
The image transfer device includes:
A display capable of displaying multiple contents;
A selection unit for selecting one content from a plurality of contents displayed on the display;
A designating unit for designating an image display device for displaying the selected content;
A display image data generation unit that generates display image data of each content at least a part of which is displayed on the display;
A storage device;
The storage control unit that stores each of the connected image display devices and each of the generated display image data in the storage device in association with each other, and the number of contents displayed on the display A storage area for storing the display image data is secured in the storage device corresponding to the arrangement of the connected image display devices, and the display image corresponding to the selected content is stored. When the data and the designated image display device are stored in the storage device in association with each other, and the capacity of the display image data exceeds the capacity of the storage area, the display image data is A storage control unit for storing in a plurality of storage areas corresponding to the image display device;
A transfer unit that transfers the associated display image data to each of the image display devices;
The image display device includes:
A receiving unit for receiving the display image data from the image transfer device;
A display unit for displaying an image based on the display image data received by the receiving unit;
Image transfer system. The image transfer system according to claim 1,
The image transfer device further includes:
An image transfer system comprising an image processing unit that performs image processing on the display image data in a storage area for storing the display image data corresponding to the number of contents. The image transfer system according to claim 1 or 2,
The storage control unit secures a storage area in the storage device for storing the display image data according to the number of the connected image display devices. The image transfer system according to claim 3.
The image transfer device further includes:
An image transfer system including an image processing unit that performs image processing on the display image data in a storage area for storing the display image data corresponding to the number of the image display devices. The image transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The storage control unit secures the storage area in the storage device in accordance with the resolution of the display device. The image transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The storage control unit secures the storage area in the storage device corresponding to the resolution of the image display device. The image transfer system according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
The image transfer device further includes:
A management unit that manages information about the connected image display device;
The storage control unit is an image transfer system that acquires information on the number of connected image display devices from the management unit. An image transfer method in an image transfer system comprising a plurality of image display devices and an image transfer device to which the plurality of image display devices can be connected,
The image display device
An image display device that displays one content selected from the plurality of contents displayed on the display device is designated from the plurality of image display devices,
Generating display image data of each content at least a part of which is displayed on the display;
According to the number of contents displayed on the display, a storage area for storing the display image data is secured in the storage device corresponding to the arrangement of the connected image display devices,
The display image data corresponding to the selected content and the designated image display device are stored in the storage device in association with each other,
When the capacity of the display image data exceeds the capacity of the storage area, the display image data is stored in a plurality of storage areas corresponding to the adjacent image display devices,
For each image display device, the associated display image data is transferred,
The image display device
Receiving the display image data from the image transfer device;
An image is displayed based on the display image data received by the receiving unit.
Image transfer method.

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